Naruto Uzumaki- of the Land of Fire

Gone

Lord Third cast his gaze over the empty room and he found nothing... nothing to indicate the existence of its previous resident. An hour before, Iruka had come to his office concerned because the boy hadn't shown up for classes that morning and no one had seen him recently. For the third time yesterday, the boy had failed the graduation exam at the academy. Lord Third had thought the child might need a few days to straighten himself out, now he knew he'd been wrong....

Dear Old Man,

By the time you read this, I'll be gone. Please don't send anyone after me... I'm not leaving because I failed the exam. I can't live here, there's no point in trying anymore. The people hate me too much, I can see it in their eyes... I won't stay here, it's not worth the pain. I don't know where I'm going or if I'll stay anywhere long, but you shouldn't worry. I plan on traveling and then entering into a trade, if I think about it I'll write when I settle down. Thanks for everything! -Uzumaki Naruto

The letter had been lying on Naruto's desk, along with his formal resignation from the academy, when Lord Third and Iruka had entered the apartment. Iruka had immediately left for the front gates, but the Hokage stood speechless.

"Lord Hokage, what should we do?" The ANBU was only partially aware of the situation, but he understood the main issue. "Do you want us to collect the boy?"

"No, let's join Iruka at the gates for now."

With one last look, Lord Third left the apartment. Dust was already beginning to settle, truly it looked as if it hadn't been lived in for quite some time. Silently, the two men left for the gates.

Iruka's voice could be heard as the Hokage and ANBU approached the gates. "You didn't think to ask a twelve year old why he was leaving or where he was going! Are you two idiots?!"

"We didn't notice him leaving!" One guard state. "He slipped passed us" The other defended.

"Well then, I wonder who else slipped passed you! Orochimaru could've entered the village for all you know!"

"Iruka, that is enough. This isn't the first time Naruto has left the village, it's not a surprise that they didn't notice him." The Hokage understood Iruka's fury, but for now he had to remain rational. Looking down the path that lead away from the village, the moon now lighting the way, Lord Third found himself making a decision... one he feared he would regret. "Leave him be Iruka."

"Lord Hokage?"

"I trust that Naruto can care for himself and can make his own choices. For now, leave things as they are." Iruka looked at the Hokage with shock and anger. Slowly his eyes softened and a sense of understanding spread over him.

"Do we report him as a missing nin?" The ANBU asked.

"No, sadly we may be the only ones to notice his absence." Both the Hokage and Iruka knew that was the undeniable truth, and it hurt them.

"What about the nine-tailed demon? We can't possibly just let him leave-"

"Being what he is wasn't his choice. For the first time, let him make his own decisions. If this is his choice, then so be it!" Those were the Hokage's final words on the subject.

 It was like this that Naruto Uzumaki, the twelve year old jinchuuriki, disappeared from the Hidden Leaf Village.